WWDC 2020: Everything you need to know

Despite all of the issues most big tech names came across when it comes to their annual events which were prevented by the world health crisis, Apple decided to go ahead with its WWDC 2020 conference. Of course, the online event started off with Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and was streamed for millions of viewers all around the world. As every year, we got to see the new generation of operating systems for each of Apple’s product groups, as well as a couple of other exciting announcements. The tech giant gave us the first look at the next versions of all Apple OSs including iOS 14, iPadOS 14, WatchOS 7, tvOS 14, and the new macOS Big Sur. So here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s WWDC 2020.

WWDC 2020: iOS 14

In the new iOS 14, Apple is making the biggest changes that ever happened to the iOS home screen by adding widgets, and a new app library along with many other new and exciting features that we are going to list here briefly.

• Widgets & App Library

Just like in Android, widgets are coming to iOS in a variety of sizes and shapes. While they were only available in the Today View before, in iOS 14 widgets can be added to any part of your home screen. To choose between widgets, Apple is introducing a new “Widget Gallery” that allows you to browse between widgets and customize them to fit your style. Among all the new widgets, there is a new “Smart Stack” widget that will automatically show the most relevant apps based on the time of the day. 

This is not the only Android-like feature the iOS 14 is getting, Apple is also introducing a new “App Library” that will automatically organize your apps into groups using smart grouping based on relevance. This feature will also allow users to hide apps on the main home screen.

• System-wide picture-in-picture

The next feature in line is a new system-wide picture-in-picture addition to the new iOS 14. If you are watching a video or having a video call on iOS 14, all you have to do is to press the home button and the video will shrink and show on the screen, while you can open other apps and use them. You can also hide the video by sliding it to the side of the screen and the audio will keep playing in the background. 

• App Clips

Another important feature that is coming to iOS 14 is the new “App Clips” which are snippets of apps that will allow users to access small parts of apps instead of downloading the full app. If you are wondering when will you need such a feature, then think about the next time you need to access a parking app through an NFC tag, or a coffee store’s reward program. The new Apps Clips support Sign In with Apple in order to avoid creating a new account and can be accessed again through the new App Library. Along with the App Clips, Apple is introducing a new format of QR-code that uses both NFC and camera to quickly access the clips.

• Siri

Siri is also getting an update, instead of it taking the full screen when activated, Siri will now show up as the small animated Siri icon at the bottom of the screen. Another thing that usually disturbs users is phone calls or FaceTime calls when they take the full screen. Fortunately, in iOS 14, they will show up as pop-ups instead of taking over the whole display. 

 

• New Translate App

Apple is also introducing a new Translate app that will be a part of iOS 14. Just like Google Translate, the app will allow users to easily translate between languages by entering text or dictating messages. Users will be able to translate between 11 different languages that include English, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian. More languages will be added later according to Apple.

• New Features for Messages

Messages is also getting some new features, one of them is the ability to pin important contacts and conversations to the top of the Messages app in order to easily access your favorite friends’ conversations or group chats. Another feature is the threaded conversations in group chats where you can now reply to specific messages in a new thread, you will also be able to mention other people in the chat, and choose not to be notified unless you are mentioned in a text. 

 

• Apple Maps

Apple Maps is getting better by getting new guides from companies like Zagat or AllTrails so it can give better recommendations for new places. Support for cycling is now on board, directions will be available for bikers providing everything you need to know as a biker such as elevation, bike paths, stairs, and roads. Cycling will launch in NYC, LA, San Francisco’s Bay Area, Shanghai, and Beijing. There’s also a new EV Routing feature that will track the current charge of your car, factor in elevation and weather, and route you to compatible stations.

• Unlock your car with your iPhone

CarPlay is getting some cool features as well, including support for custom wallpapers and new app categories: parking apps, EV chargers, and fast food takeout apps. Apple is also adding a new feature that will allow users to unlock their car through NFC, the 2021 BMW 5 Series set to be the first to support the feature. Users will be able to give temporary access to their car keys to other iPhone users, and just to make sure you never get locked out of your car, a special power reserve feature will be used to allow access up to five hours after your phone has died. 

• Other Features

While those were the biggest changes coming to iOS, there are many small updates that are worth mentioning. Safari on iOS 14 will now let you know if one of your passwords has been leaked in a data breach. The Game Center is getting a new design, and developers will now be able to share subscriptions through Family Sharing. There is also a new “Sleep Mode” that turns on do-not-disturb, dims your phone’s screen, and shows your upcoming alarm for the morning.

iOS 14 Release date and supported devices

The new iOS 14 will be officially out next fall, but a developer preview will be available to Apple Developer Program members during WWDC 2020, as well as a beta version to be available to the public later in July, here’s a list of the iPhones that will support iOS 14:

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation) 

WWDC 2020: iPadOS 14

While it’s the second version of iPadOS, we can’t expect a lot of differences between iOS and iPadOS yet. However, there are some worth mentioning new features that iPad users should be excited about.

• Apple Apps Design tweaks

Many Apple apps are getting some new design updates. Photos and Music apps in iPadOS 14 will get a new sidebar that allows users to move between different sections of the app, the Calendar app is also getting some more controls on the top of the screen. 

 

• Universal Search

Another update that is coming to iPadOS 14 is a brand new search engine under the name “Universal Search”. This new search engine can be used to search between contacts, files, apps, and documents, it can also be used to search within the apps that support the feature. If you are thinking that the search engine available on the iPad right now already does most of these features then you are right. Apple is focusing more on the design, making the new Universal Search look more like Spotlight on the Mac. The new search bar will now pop up on top of apps instead of blocking the whole screen which will make it much easier to use. 

• Handwriting-Text Conversion

Handwriting with Apple Pencil is getting a really cool feature called Scribble that will convert handwriting in any text field into actual text. You can also convert any handwritten text you have in Notes into actual text and get different options to utilize the newly created text. At first, it will be available in English and both traditional and simplified Chinese, other languages will follow later on. 

Perhaps the biggest update that all iPhone and iPad users were waiting for is that now users will be able to set default email and browser apps. Before this update, both the iPhone and iPad have Apple’s Mail and Safari as default apps for browsing and email. This was inconvenient to many users who want to use different apps but end up with Apple Mail or Safari whenever they press on a link. 

Although it’s called iPadOS 14, this is technically the second version of iPadOS, and the platform is not quite different from iOS yet as they still share many functions and features as well as the new updates. iPadOS 14 will get many of the features available on iOS 14 such as the new updates that are coming to Messages, Apple Maps, and the new Translate app. iPadOS 14 is also getting the App Clips feature that allows users to access small parts of apps instead of downloading the full app. The updated compact Siri interface, as well as the new phone calls and FaceTime, calls pop-ups will also be available with iPadOS 14.

iPadOS 14 Release date and supported devices

iPadOS 14 will be available for developers during WWDC 2020, with a beta version expected to be available to the public in July. The official rollout of the new version of iPadOS will be this fall. Until then, here’s a list of all the iPad devices that will receive the new version:

• iPad Air 2 and later
• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad 5th generation and later
• iPad mini 4 and later 

WWDC 2020: macOS Big Sur

The new macOS 11, named Big Sur, makes the user experience of macOS and iOS a bit more alike. We have combined all of the newly announced features in the list below, including the new Control Center, improved Safary controls, and the overall design. 

• When it comes to the design update, the overall interface feels more coherent with iOS. The app icons are more similar to those you can find on your iPhone, and most of the buttons will highlight as you go over them with your mouse. 

• The new macOS update brought a significant Safari update. The first is the addition of iCloud Keychain that helps you keep all passwords, usernames, and sensitive data such as credit card numbers in one safe place, and also saves your time by auto-filling necessary fields. Following this are improved app extensions and different privacy settings that you can adjust based on your own preferences, but the update also includes design changes such as better tab management. You can now even update your start page background. As it is the case with the new iOS 14, you can use the new translation service if you ever stumble upon a page in a foreign language, allowing you to simply translate everything with just one click. 
• The new update also brought a Control Center allowing you to quickly and easily access toggles such as brightness without opening separate settings. Moreover, the Notification Center has been brought on the same level as iOS’, and the widget system is fully available. 

• Some apps also got a worthy update including the Messages app that got an update across several operating systems. Mac users are going to be able to use Memoji, Apple’s personalised emoji set, as well as an inline photo picker. Maps app got a more behind-the-scenes update with a more modern design, but a synchronised database with the iOS. Mac Catalyst also got update controls, allowing you to navigate apps a bit better. 

“macOS Big Sur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. And get even more transparency around your privacy.”

macOS Big Sur release date and supported devices

The new macOS is coming as an exciting update and will be available on all devices that will be announced in the following year. But unfortunately, not all older devices are compatible with the Big Sur, which is why Apple announced a full list of all Macs that will be compatible with the new macOS Big Sur:

• 2015 and later MacBook
• 2013 and later MacBook Air
• 2013 and later MacBook Pro
• 2014 and later Mac mini
• 2014 and later iMac
• 2017 and later iMac Pro
• 2013 and later Mac Pro

macOS Big Sur is going to be a free software update that will be available a bit later this year. Today at the event, Apple announced that the developer’s beta is already available starting today, but there is going to be a public beta available as well starting as of July. Generally, all users should be getting it at some point in fall 2020. 

WWDC 2020: WatchOS 7

The new watchOS 7 brings many new exciting announcements, from new activity-tracking to new watch faces, and in the following list, we will cover all of the most important ones you can expect. 

• watchOS 7 update adds a sleep tracking feature that allows you to follow how much, when, and how well do you sleep each night. You can also create a bedtime routine using the Wind Down feature by combining soothing sounds or your favorite meditation app. 

• New Automatic Handwashing Detection feature relies on motion sensors and a microphone in order to detect when you are washing your hands and automatically start a 20-seconds countdown. You will be able to see the frequency and duration in the Health app. 
• Thanks to the new OS update, Watch users will be able to configure the watch face according to any activity, with numerous customizable and personalized faces. The new faces include Chronograph Pro with a tachymeter and Photos face which offers different color filters. 

• The Workout app and Activity app both got a significant update with the new watchOS 7. With the update, you will be able to follow your heart rate and other metrics in four new activities: Core Training, Dance (Bollywood, cardio dance, hip-hop, Latin), Functional Strength Training, and Cooldown. The Activity app is now called Fitness and it combines the most important metrics in one place, including daily activity, workouts, awards and trends all in one place. 
• Since watchOS 6, Apple put a focus on hearing health with its Noise app. Now, with watchOS 7, users will get further hearing health benefits as they will be able to analyze the volume at which they listen to the media using an iPhone, iPod or Apple Watch. 
• Siri can now be used to translate different languages straight from your wrist. 
• Further improvement of Privacy controls, Camera Remote, Sleep, and introduction of Shortcuts. 

Apple today previewed watchOS 7, delivering enhanced customization tools and powerful new health and fitness features to the world’s most advanced smartwatch.

watchOS 7 release date and supported devices

Even though the new watchOS 7 update brings many new features and will be present in any upcoming Apple Watch devices, not all older devices will get to enjoy this update. Luckily, only 3 of the oldest devices are not compatible, meaning if you have any of the following models, you can expect the update later this year: 

• Apple Watch Series 3
• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5

Similar to the case with iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, developers will gain access to the beta version starting today during WWDC 2020. At the same time, for the first time ever, there will be a public beta released in July. The update will be free as always and is expected to be available on previously mentioned compatible devices later this year.

WWDC 2020: tvOS 14

This year’s tvOS update brings even more functional updates than last year with the implementation of Home view and other improvements of some of the most important features. Here are all of the highlights of the new tvOS 14. 

• The biggest news coming with the tvOS 14 is the “Home view” feature. Accessed through the Control Centre, it supports HomeKit integration and allows you to see on the big screen anything your HomeKit camera catches. And the best thing is, if the camera recognizes that someone is approaching the house entrance, it will show you a PIP alert on the screen. 

• Another interesting update is the already mentioned introduction of picture-in-picture support, allowing you to watch more than one thing at the same time using the pop-up screen. 
• Finally, after a long wait, Apple has added 4K support for YouTube. Moreover, 4K videos from iOS or iPadOS can now be shown in full quality with the latest AirPlay improvement. 
• Ever since Apple Arcade was released, Apple TV users could enjoy new and exciting games on the big screen. Now, with tvOS 14, Apple introduced multiple users’ support allowing each member of the household to continue playing right where they personally left off in the game. 
• Last year, Apple added Xbox One and Playstation Dual Shock 4 game controllers support, and this year they have upgraded the list with Xbox Elite 2 and Xbox Adaptive controllers. 

Similar to other operating system updates announced at WWDC 2020, the latest tvOS developers beta version is available starting today, while the public beta will be available for the first time ever in July. The update is going to reach the public sometime later this year. 

That was all the major announcements during WWDC 2020, Apple is making a lot of changes to most of their operating systems, and it’s going to be an exciting year for all Apple fans out there.

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